[Gourmet] `Obaltan¡¯ in Yoksam-dong, Seoul

Located behind the Korean Intellectual Property Office in Yoksam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul, "Obaltan¡¯¡¯ (822-557-9981) specializes in charcoal grilled cow`s intestines. Although the name of the restaurant, which means "accidentally fired bullet,¡¯¡¯ is somewhat odd, the taste of its offerings and the eatery`s atmosphere are superb.

Owner Lee Myong-Ho, 39, is not only a movie fanatic but also resembles actor Choi Min-Soo. He named his restaurant after director Yu Hyon-Mok¡¯s "Obaltan,¡¯¡¯ regarded as one of the best movies in Korean film history.

It features lockers for shoes, acoustic guitar music in the restroom, electrically heated floors, and soft lighting.

It opened just two years ago, but the two-floor restaurant is typically crowded with customers at lunchtime.

Topping the menu are grilled cow parts like the cud pouch (14,000 won per 180g) and small and large intestines (12,000 won each). As lunch specials, it offers "pulgogi¡¯¡¯ grilled on a hot stone plate (5,000 won per 300g), and "ugoji kukpap¡¯¡¯ (rice served in soup: 5,000 won) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mixed dishes of cow`s stomach and intestines ("makchang¡¯¡¯) and fatty "taechang¡¯¡¯ and "kopchang¡¯¡¯ are especially popular.

The restaurants fire pots, copper grills and ventilation funnels were manufactured to Lee`s specifications and make the intestines taste as if they were smoked.

The long and thin ventilation funnels in the shape of a bugle at each table have a curious power to absorb smoke.

As side dishes, the restaurant serves a sliced reddish roll with ginseng, pine nuts, jujube and honey, which is good for beating a hangover. Vegetables, cow liver and tripes are also good. For those who want a hearty stew with their dinner, "nurungji doennjang cchigae¡¯¡¯ (3,000 won) is recommended. The restaurant is open 365 days a year. Parking is available for 80 cars.